ASUU Insists on strike As State university Resumes Academic Activities

Yobe State University Damaturu on Monday opened for academic activities despite the ongoing nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Dr. Kalli Alkali Yusuf Gazali, Registrar of the university, had released a duly signed internal circular with reference number R/YUS/GC/014/vol. 1/15, dated 24th December, 2018 addressed to Provost, Deans, Directors and Head of Departments indicating resumption of academic activities on the 7th of January, 2019.

The circular which was obtained by DAILY POST was titled: ‘commencement of lectures after Christmas and New year break for the 2018/2019 academic session’.

It reads: “This is the provost, Deans, Directors and Head of Departments that, lectures after Christmas and New Year break will commence on Monday 7th January, 2019 for the 2018/2019 academic session.

“This is for the compliance of all Faculties, Directorates and Departments”.

Our correspondent gathered that lectures, on Monday, commenced in some departments of the university with few students in attendance.

However, when contacted via short massage service (sms) on the position of the union as regards to the resumption considering that its strike was yet to be called off, the ASUU branch chairman of the university, Mohammed Adamu Gulani replied as saying, “our position is still same as ASUU National”.

He was optimistic that members of the union will not breach the union’s trust, while insisting that there is absolute unity of purpose among them.

Recall that ASUU commenced an indefinite nationwide strike on November 5, 2018 over certain demands based on agreement reached with government in 2009.

Since then, the government and the union leaders have been holding series of meetings meant to find lasting solution to the lingering industrial action.